1. Buccaneers pumped for Boulder trip

Judging from reactions in its hometown newspaper, Charleston Southern is pleased as punch to be playing in Boulder on Oct. 19.

"Obviously, adding a game at this point in the season is a unique situation," first-year Charleston Southern coach Jamey Chadwell told The Post and Courier. "It is a big opportunity for us, though. It's a chance for us to showcase Charleston Southern University and our football program against a PAC-12 school for the first time."

The 5-0 Buccaneers took down Appalachian State last weekend and they're on the cusp of cracking the FCS Top 25. They'll get a sizable paycheck for their trip to Colorado, but those numbers haven't been released yet.

Notable from The Post and Courier's story:

Charleston Southern Athletic director Hank Small: "The game is an exciting opportunity to play a Pac-12 school. Our players have had the experience playing Big Ten, SEC and ACC schools, and this is a chance to add the Pac-12 program to that group and to continue to move our program forward."

Advertisement

Charleston Southern vice president for student affairs and athletics Dr. Rick Brewer: "This contest represents the university's desire to compete at the highest level of NCAA Division I athletics. Consistent with our previous practice, funds from this game will be applied to enhancing CSU's football facilities and program."

Oregon running back De'Anthony Thomas injured his right ankle on this play on Saturday against Cal in Eugene. (AP)

2. No Thomas for the Ducks

According to Comcast Sportsnet Northwest's Aaron J. Fentress, Colorado's defense will catch a slight break this weekend as Oregon running back De'Anthony Thomas will miss Saturday's game in Boulder.

The Ducks' leading rusher injured his right ankle in the rain last weekend during the opening kickoff against Cal. Thomas, a 5-foot-9 junior speedster, has rushed for 338 yards on 42 carries this season with six touchdowns.

When you're No. 2 in the country like the Ducks are, you have plenty of depth at the skill positions. Waiting in the wings at running back are sophomore Byron Marshall (four-star recruit) and freshman sensation Thomas Tyner (five-star recruit). Marshall has carried the ball 48 times for 326 yards and four touchdowns while Tyner has 25 carries for 174 yards and four scores.

3. Helfrich is back

Oregon's student newspaper has a story on Mark Helfrich's return to Folsom and the Ducks head man has kind words for Colorado. Helfrich served as CU's offensive coordinator from 2006 to 2008 before joining Chip Kelly in Eugene.

"Colorado's a unique place. I still have a lot of friends there," Helfrich told the Daily Emerald. "It's a great place to play, a lot of passion from the student body."

4. CU men's hoops not in Yahoo's Top 25

Yahoo's "The Dagger" men's basketball blog has a preseason top 25 and the Buffs are unfortunately left out. Yahoo's Jeff Eisenberg does include the Buffs in "Ten others to watch." If this poll holds true, Colorado is in for a tough schedule as Buffs opponents Kansas (No. 5), Arizona (6), Oklahoma State (12), Oregon (14), UCLA (18) and Baylor (23) all land in the top 25.

5. Air Force game in limbo

Because of the federal government shutdown, Air Force's football game at Navy on Saturday is in jeopardy. The two teams have met every year since 1972, but might not play this weekend as Air Force travel for all intercollegiate athletics is currently cancelled. The Colorado Springs Gazette reports non-government funds could be used to cover the expenses of the trip.

"Right now we're not playing the game," Air Force sports information director Troy Garnhart told the newspaper.

A decision on the game is expected by 10 a.m. on Thursday, with Dec. 7 a possible make-up target.